From 30th October 2026 there will be a new negotiating body for adult social care that will look to set minimum standards for pay through a fair pay agreement.
Historically speaking, those who work in the adult social care sector have been woefully underpaid. The Government is looking to change this through a fair pay agreement, which will be delivered by a new independent body.
The Adult Social Care (ASC) Negotiating Body will form an agreement that sets minimum standards for pay through sectoral collective bargaining – a strategy that empowers workers and strengthens the role of trade unions in the sector.
The Government has noted that boosting pay for workers should help the recruitment and retention crisis, which is one of the biggest challenges facing the sector.
The chair and members of the body will be decided on when it is set up this autumn.
Helen Osgood, Community’s Director of Operations, said:
“The establishment of a negotiating body for adult social care workers marks a step forward in efforts to upgrade pay for those who work in the sector.
“Social care workers provide essential services, but they are often overlooked and underpaid. It is incredibly important for the body to negotiate a fair pay agreement that both improves the working lives of adult social care workers and secures the long-term sustainability of the sector.”
What is a fair pay agreement?
A fair pay agreement is an agreement, ratified in law, that can set minimum standards for pay and terms and conditions in the adult social care sector. The agreement will be made by the ASC Negotiating Body, who can also look at improving training opportunities and career progression for workers.
Once the body has submitted its final agreement to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for review, it will be ratified in Parliament and become legally enforceable through workers’ contracts.
The proposals to set up the body were contained within the Employment Rights Bill, which became law in 2025.
The first fair pay agreement will come into effect in April 2028. Pay negotiations are expected to run annually.
What role do unions play in the Adult Social Care (ASC) Negotiating Body?
The ASC Negotiating Body will help to lay the foundations for a national care service by giving workers and employers a stronger voice when engaging with local and central Government.
Unions play a unique role in this set up. The ASC Negotiating Body, which is independent and at arm’s length from ministers, will have representation based on equal numbers of workers and employers. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) will co-ordinate representation from workers and these workers will negotiate with employers to come up with a final agreement.
This agreement will be ratified by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who has responsibility for appointments, but will not be allowed to intervene in day-to-day negotiations.
What does this mean for Community members?
The fair pay agreement applies to the paid adult social care workforce and does not cover unpaid carers or those who are self-employed.
The ASC Negotiating Body’s main power is negotiating pay and terms and conditions, however, it can also consider wider employment matters. If you are a Community member who works in the adult social care sector you could benefit from this.
The body has the power to consider the following:
- Pay
- Terms and conditions
- Training
- Career progression
- People and culture policies
- Additional benefits
The Government will set an annual funding envelope, and it is up for trade unions and employers to use that funding to negotiate an agreement that both improves workers’ terms and supports the long-term sustainability of the sector.
© Community Trade Union 2026
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